Endorsements - 2018 Elections

Governor - Gavin Newsom

Lieutenant Governor - Eleni Kounalakis

Secretary of State - Alex Padilla

U.S. Senator - Dianne Feinstein

Attorney General - Xavier Becerra

Treasurer - Vivek Viswanathan

Controller - Betty Yee

Assembly District 43 - Laura Friedman

Assembly District 46 - Adrin Nazarian

Assembly District 51 - Wendy Carrillo

Insurance Commissioner - Ricardo Lara

Superintendent of Public Instruction - Tony Thurmond

Board of Equalization (Seat 3) - Tony Vasquez

LA County Supervisor District 1 - Hilda Solis

LA County Supervisor District 3 - Sheila Kuehl

LA County Assessor - Jeffrey Prang

LA County Sheriff - Alex Villanueva

Superior Court Judge (No. 4) - A. Veronica Sauceda

Superior Court Judge (No. 16) - Patricia Hunter

Superior Court Judge (No. 20) - Wendy Segall

Superior Court Judge (No. 60) - Tony Cho

Superior Court Judge (No. 63) - Anthony Lewis

Superior Court Judge (No. 67) - Maria Armendariz

Superior Court Judge (No. 113) - Javier Perez

Superior Court Judge (No. 118) - David Diamond

Superior Court Judge (No. 126) - Rene Gilbertson

Superior Court Judge (No. 146) - Armando Durón

Proposition 68 - SUPPORT

Proposition 69 - SUPPORT

Proposition 70 - OPPOSE

Proposition 71 - SUPPORT

Proposition 72 - SUPPORT

Since her election to the Senate in 1992, Dianne has built a legacy of finding solutions to problems facing California and our nation. Her accomplishments include legislation increasing vehicle fuel economy standards; preserving the Mojave Desert, Lake Tahoe and our forests; consumer protection, food safety and cyber security; drought relief; securing funding for critical projects; and commonsense gun laws, including the landmark assault weapons ban. Dianne’s career has been one of firsts – she was the first woman President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first woman Mayor of San Francisco, the first woman elected Senator of California, the first woman member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the first woman to be ranking member of the Committee. Dianne also was the first woman to chair the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. Today, she continues to work on critical issues and fight for the values we hold dear.

DNA stands firmly in support of Vivek Viswanathan, who comes to the Treasurer’s race with extensive governing and policy experience. Most recently, Vivek served as Special Advisor in the Office of Governor Jerry Brown where he managed key projects on job creation, infrastructure, health care, public safety, and climate change. Before that, he was a core policy advisor to Hillary Clinton on her 2016 Presidential Campaign, crafting and spearheading a national agenda around college affordability and student debt. While campaigning for California Treasurer, Vivek has pledged to reject all corporate, PAC, and special interest money. Vivek holds a law degree and MBA from Stanford University, and graduated with highest honors from Harvard University.

DNA stands firmly in support of State Controller Betty Yee, who brings 35 years of experience in state and local finance and tax policy to her service as California's Chief Financial Officer.  Her leadership in addressing the changing nature of work and climate change and their impacts on the economy and growing inequality is critical to ensuring no communities are left behind.

I am the only candidate with judicial experience. In 2015, I was elected by Los Angeles Superior Court Judges to serve as a Commissioner. Since then, I have presided over traffic matters at the West Covina courthouse (2015-2016) and family law matters at the Compton courthouse (2016-present). As a Commissioner, I strive to be a fair and impartial bench officer, and I will continue to do so, if elected as Judge.

I bring a unique perspective to the bench. As a non-profit family law attorney, I assisted survivors of domestic abuse and litigated thousands of cases in Superior Court. As an advocate for the most
vulnerable members of our communities, I helped my clients assert their rights and access justice. As a bench officer, I remain committed to providing access to justice in my courtroom and the legal system.

I have been endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party; over a dozen Democratic Clubs; Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; UTLA, SEIU Local 721, AFSCME District 36, and UAW. I have the support of many local public officials such as: Senators Ricardo Lara, Ed Hernandez and Kevin De Leon; US Congresswoman Grace Napolitano and Linda Sanchez; and Labor Leader Dolores Huerta. Finally, the leaders that supervise the Los Angeles Superior Court Judges and Commissioner have enthusiastically endorsed my candidacy; both Presiding Judge Daniel Buckley and Assisting Presiding Judge, Kevin Brazile.

Among many notable endorsements, Patti Hunter is endorsed by the LA County Democratic Party.  As a prosecutor in the LA City Attorney’s office she is committed to public service, public safety, fairness and equal justice for all. Patti graduated law school in the top 2% of her class, published on law review, clerked for a federal judge and has been an attorney for over 30 years. She not only has the intellect and experience to interpret and apply the law, but will do so with the integrity and temperament needed on the bench.

• JD from George Washington University School of Law, 2001

• Served 13 years as a Deputy District attorney in Los Angeles County

• In the last 5 years he specialized in elder abuse prosecution, including murder, sexual assaults, financial abuse, & neglect

• Served 8 years as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the California State Military Reserve

• Endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and over a dozen local clubs throughout Los Angeles County

Armando Durón was elected Commissioner by the 500 Superior Court Judges in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in 2015.  He has had three important assignments since then: Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, in fact, he was the first judicial officer in the County to have this assignment; he was then assigned to Child Support; and he currently has a full-scope family law assignment.

Prior to taking the bench, he was in private practice for over 33 years, representing over 3,000 clients, most of whom came by referrals from satisfied previous clients. He never paid a referral fee or had to advertise.

Commissioner Durón is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University (1976) and received he Juris Doctorate degree at U.C.L.A. Law School (1979).  His education and experience have prepared him for the position of Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court (Seat No. 146) which he seeks and requests your support.

Assessor Jeffrey Prang has reformed the Assessor’s Office, bringing much needed innovation and transparency. He has promoted property tax savings for veterans, small business owners, and seniors, and has improved public service for taxpayers. Jeffrey Prang has endorsement of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and is Democrats for Neighborhood Action’s choice for Los Angeles County Assessor.

Tony Vazquez is a tireless advocate for smart growth and affordable housing in one of the

most dynamic cities in California.

As an advocate of smart growth in Santa Monica, Vazquez believes the best way to build

neighborhoods and vibrant cities is to insure they are economically prosperous,

environmentally sustainable and welcoming to diverse communities.

The first Latino ever to serve as Mayor of the City of Santa Monica, since the city was

incorporated in 1886, Vazquez believes hard work, smart planning and thriving business

enterprise are the keys to a city’s success.

Vazquez was first elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1990, when the city was

going through the revitalization of the Third Street Promenade. This endeavor helped

revitalize the City of Santa Monica and proved a major success for the business

community.

As Mayor of Santa Monica, Vazquez worked tirelessly to:

- Oversee the completion of the Metro Expo Line extension, uniting downtown Los

Angeles with Santa Monica Beach. This Metro line extension helps ease some of

the traffic that gridlocks the city, but more important, it provides a clean, safe and

less expensive transportation alternative for the thousands of Santa Monica workers

who commute to Santa Monica every day;

- Reopen the reconstructed California Incline, featuring a dedicated pedestrian and

bike over cross, providing beach access from Palisades Park and the Idaho Trail;

- Help reconfigure Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus routes to better meet the needs of

the thousands of daily riders;

- Implement innovative transportation projects, including the Breeze Bike Share

program, expansion of Zip Car app-driven rental cars and developed pedestrian

friendly sidewalks and walkways;

Advocating for streamlined business licensing and regulations, Vazquez most recently

assisted the Quinn Automotive Group in developing the first Mini Auto Dealership,

scheduled to open in May of 2017.

A former schoolteacher and teacher trainer, Vazquez has lived in Santa Monica since 1984.

Vazquez is a graduate of the University of Southern California. A community planner for

the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, he facilitated funding for community programs

throughout the San Fernando Valley. As District Director for then Los Angeles City

Councilman Richard Alarcon, he was instrumental in revitalizing the poorest areas of the

northeast San Fernando Valley and redeveloping the former General Motors plant.

Vazquez also served as the southern California Regional Director for California Futures

Network, which is a non-profit organization that promotes smart growth policy and

legislation in the state of California. He has devoted his life to education, economic

prosperity and improving the quality of life issues for all Californians.

Prolifically active in his community serving on several boards he is currently the treasurer

of the Independent Cities Association (ICA), he is also a Board Member of (HELO)

Hispanic Elected Local Officials, as well as many other boards.

Vazquez is married with two children. His son and daughter attended public Schools and

his son, like him, graduated from USC. His daughter attended New York University and is

a graduate of the Tish Film school class of 2015. His wife Maria is a graduate of Hastings

School of Law and currently serves on the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School Board.

Vazquez is proud of his Mexican heritage and his immigrant parents who worked hard to

put him and his siblings through college.